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Julia Suontama

Is building a startup the hardest thing you've done in your work life?

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You’re gonna lose sleep. You’ll doubt whether it’ll work. You’ll stress to make ends meet. You won’t finish your to do list. You’ll wonder if you made the right call - and have no way to know for a long time. This is what ‘hard’ feels for me. And that’s okay. I still choose to do it every day. Any ideas, fellow builders?

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Aloukik Bhatnagar
If you love what you do, nothing is hard as such.
Julia Suontama
@aloukik_bhatnagar hmm I truly love my co-founding path. At the same time, I find it hard sometimes. Maybe these are not always mutually exclusive? 🙈🤍
Reid C
@aloukik_bhatnagar @juliasuontama ha yeah just because you love something doesn't make it not hard.. Hell have you ever been In Love? Relationships are HARD. But its the hardest things that make them worth it the most.
Xavier JJ
Hey your post relates to me so much. Especially mornings where stress cortisol are high. So I picked up meditations, working out. It helps alot, all the best Julia!
Julia Suontama
@dailyfitnessai Love to hear how you've found your way to manage it all. I think it's always going to be balancing between stressing and being a super ambitious builder. But let's not stress too much. <3
Xavier JJ
@juliasuontama Yes even though stress can be a motivational driver, it's very important to to manage and not be overwhelm by it. I learnt to manage stress by learning techniques from books like 'Deep Work' by Cal Newport, Meditations by Marcus Aurelius and also Wim Hof "The ice man" All the best to you my friend!
Abdu Agial
@juliasuontama @dailyfitnessai Deep Work is an amazing read. it helped me a lot with the way I work/study.
Maria Dimitrova
Don't try to rush it and set a realistic launch date. It makes it that much easier when you know you have time to do it well.
Wyatt Feaster
@mastery that’s a good reminder. I literally have had to push back my launch date like 4 times already due to dev delays.
Julia Suontama
@mastery @wyatt_feaster uuf! Well I cross my fingers that Boxio won't start bugging just week before launch :D
Maria Dimitrova
@wyatt_feaster I can relate and i tent to always expect to delay the launch so i have two launch dates. The ideal and the 'more likely to' haha
Maria Dimitrova
@wyatt_feaster @juliasuontama And if it does? It is out of your control. I have a saying stressing about what will happen is like holding an umbrella out before it rains :)
Julia Suontama
@wyatt_feaster @mastery No worries I'm not stressing too much about it. :p It goes how it goes and I did my best!
Ilayda Ozcan
I have experienced all these feelings above while working full-time in a growth marketing consultancy agency. So feeling the same way but for my own goals and dreams doesn't make me feel even that "stressed". Because when I ask myself "What do I feel that pressure for?", I can answer with much more confidence and pride right now. Appreciate your question, Julia! It makes me think about my path again 🙌
Julia Suontama
@ilaydaozcan Thanks for sharing! 🩵 Yup these are not feelings only founders are familiar with as you said. Maybe the core is; who's expectations you wanna exceed.
Jawad Tijani
I agree with that. For most of us, we are in a dark tunnel but we tend to forget that the end of it isn't necessarily far, it does require some discipline, sleepless nights, high stress - let's say it, it's tough. But I heard the view from the top is sooooo good, so I make the sacrifice every day.
Julia Suontama
@jawad_tijani Man, you wrote my ideas! :) So, let's get to the top. And as cliche as it might sound, we gotta enjoy the journey.
Mark Amouzgar
Absolutely, Julia. Building a startup is a monumental challenge, filled with uncertainty and stress. However, it's essential to manage these pressures to maintain productivity and well-being. Here are a few tips: Prioritization: Focus on tasks that align closely with your goals, letting go of less urgent matters. Breaks and Self-care: Regular breaks and self-care activities can prevent burnout. Networking: Engaging with fellow entrepreneurs can provide support and fresh perspectives.
Julia Suontama
@mark_amouzgar you're spot on. Prioritization is one of the best productivity hacks. :) Thanks for the tips man!! Agree you there
Eliza Crescini
It's definitely not easy! Building a startup is hard work, but it's also incredibly fulfilling. It's a challenge that tests your limits and forces you to grow. If you're up for the challenge, it's an experience that you'll never forget.
Julia Suontama
@eliza_crescini Challenges just keep coming in this world. But I feel also people who are most into startups, get the dopamine, adrenaline, etc when solving these and winning at the end of the day. one way or another. And by winning I don't just mean exits, but all the stuff you learn in this emotional rollercoaster <3
Maks Rendell
it's hard but you love what you do and it's better than do smth easy but what you hate
Julia Suontama
@maks_rendell Yep you are right there. I said it above and I repeat: It's hard, but at least our hard and not someone else's.
Jake Harrison
Definitely, I am an Indie hacker right now, and I need do these all by myself!
Reid C
I feel this, everyday it feels like I'm swimming to the surface. But like you said this is what hard feels like. We chose this life, I constantly remind myself. "This is what hard feels like, and this is why most people quit." I get a lot of "support" from podcasts and books. Some of my favorites are Chris Williamsons' Modern Wisdom and Tim Ferriss. Keep pushing!!
Julia Suontama
@reid_c You're absolutely on the spot! It's hard, but at least our hard and not someone else's. And thanks, will check these books. Let's push!
AmazingSylvia
No I think getting through in the covid 19 lockdown period is the most hardest thing for ENFPs.
Per Clingweld
Yes, it is - but also the most fun and rewarding. No other jobs have been stimulating enough for me. We just launched today - that's another scary part of building a startup!
Julia Suontama
@per_clingweld you’re absolutely right! That’s why wouldn’t do anything else :’) Oh congratz with your launch!! 🤩 We will soon too!
Tom Lee
It's hard, and I'd be lying if I don't have days where I have fleeting thoughts of "what ifs", but it's all worth it not just in the end but every day during the entire journey!
Daniel S
Well, the correct path is always the hardest to take, a lot of challenges and whatnot. (This is me poorly quoting a book 😅) I find comfort in knowing it helps me grow as an individual